Is this the next Lionel Messi? Watch a schoolboy star, six, show off his football skills – that have landed him trials with Manchester City, Juventus and Real Madrid
- Ari Kum, 6, set to trial with three of European soccer’s super clubs
- The Sydney schoolboy will spend almost two weeks at Manchester City
- His amazing skills are on display in a video taken in his family’s backyard
- Currently plays against boys two years older than him at Rydalmere Lions
- Academy coach says he will also have trials at Real Madrid and Juventus
He could be Australia’s answer to the great Lionel Messi, a six-year-old budding soccer superstar named Ari Kum who’s scored a trial with English Premier League giants Manchester City.
In a video taken in the backyard of the family’s Eastwood home in Sydney’s north-west the talent which has attracted several European super clubs is on display.
Ari, 6, puts on an impressive display of flicks, Ronaldo-like stepovers, dribbling and shooting which bely his young age and show why he has to play competitive matches against older children.
Manchester City, with its world-leading academy set-up, will get first look at the budding star at the end of January.
Scroll down for videos
Ari Kum, 6, has been granted a trial with English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City
Eastwood schoolboy Ari Kum is pictured practising all the tricks and flicks he will take to England in two weeks
Ari’s Academy coach Tony Basha was in awe of the youngsters talent from his first training session, he says that the 6-year-old ‘was running through other players like their were witches hats’
Manchester City, with its ownership of A League powerhouse Melbourne City, has recently completed the dual signings of Australian stars Anthony Caceres and Luke Brattan.
Ari will leave on January 28 to spend almost two weeks trialling with the club ranked the fourth biggest in the world behind only Real Madrid, Barcelona and their fiercest rivals, Manchester United.
Where most six-year-olds are seen running in large groups, often kicking the ball aimlessly, Ari keeps the ball close to his feet and has a wicked shot.
While first stop is Manchester City, Ari will then move onto Spain for a run with Real Madrid.
